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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Drop a Close One in Brandon

December 10, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Brandon, MB - The Edmonton Oil Kings (19-4-2-1) saw their four-game win streak come to an end on Friday night as they fell 3-2 at the hands of the Brandon Wheat Kings (13-13-0-1) at Westoba Place.

Despite missing several key skaters in their lineup, the Oil Kings didn't miss a beat in the first period, firing 19 shots the way of Brandon goaltender Ethan Kruger but were unable to solve the Wheat Kings last line of defence.

At the other end, Oil Kings rookie netminder Kolby Hay, who will see an increased workload while Sebastian Cossa tends to duties with Hockey Canada, held up his end of the bargain turning away all seven Brandon shots.

In the second period, the Oil Kings were finally able to break the deadlock as once again their power play would come through for a 16th straight game. Jalen Luypen was spotted wide-open in the right-wing circle by Jakub Demek on the man-advantage, and the Chicago Blackhawks prospect made no mistake as he cut to the slot and ripped a wrist shot over the left shoulder of Kruger.

The Oil Kings were able to neutralize the Wheat Kings attack for most of the second period, holding them to just two shots on goal through 15 minutes of the middle stanza, but a turned over puck just inside the Edmonton blueline led to a clear-cut breakaway for Wheat Kings leading scorer Nolan Ritchie who made no mistake going upstairs to tie the game at two just ahead of the second intermission.

In the third period, the Wheat Kings took their first lead of the game on a goal from Marcus Kallionkieli at the 10:52 mark as he entered the Oil Kings zone and lasered a shot over the shouderer of Hay. Just 10 seconds later, the Wheat Kings made it a 3-1 lead after Brett Hylan raced onto a loose puck in the right-circle of the Edmonton zone and zipped a shot just inside the far post.

The Oil Kings answered back with another power play goal just over two minutes later as Dawson Seitz was able to shovel a puck between the legs of Kruger during a goal mouth scramble but that was as close as Edmonton would get.

Hay finished the night making 32 saves, while Kruger turned away 40 of the 42 Edmonton shots. The Oil Kings went two-for-six on the power play, while the Wheaties were zero-for-three.

Next up, the Oil Kings head back to Winnipeg tomorrow night to tangle with the ICE once again at 6:00 PM.

NOTES:

The Oil Kings have scored a power play goal in 16 straight games (23-for-70).

Jakub Demek is now on a 15-game point streak (9G, 14A).

Simon Kubicek is now on a five-game point streak (2G, 5A).

Jalen Luypen is now on a five-game point streak (1G, 4A).

Edmonton Oil Kings Season Seats, Flex-Packs, Weekend Passes and Single-Game tickets, for as low as $20 per game, are currently on sale at oilkings.ca.

The Oil Kings next home game is Friday December 17 when they welcome the Swift Current Broncos to Rogers Place at 7:00 PM.

Check out the Edmonton Oil Kings Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2021


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